Trips, treats
and cheap eats

Ah Montreal, where an epicurean adventure is always up for grabs, even when you’re low on dough. The dedication in a new guide to the island’s eat-and-drink pretty much sums it up: “… to anyone who finds that food tastes just a little better when you’re getting a deal on it.”

Written by former Mirror resto reviewer gone Gazette casual dining critic Sarah Musgrave, Resto à Go-Go packs in 140 restaurants and 42 bars, from familiar drinkin’ haunts to out-of-way ethnic eateries well worth the trek.

“It was lots of fun to write,” muses Musgrave. “Basically, I spent all summer eating and drinking under the guise of ‘research.’ And I seem to have come through the experience without getting sick of food—which says something about the amazing variety this city has to offer.”

All this variety is organized into chapters like late-night eats, takeouts, breakfast joints and an array of ethnic sections. Bars are split into brewpubs, those with food, with terrasses, fly-drawing cheapies and more.

“My favourite section has to be Novelty Nosh,” Musgrave says, “which includes a timewarp Tiki buffet in the east end and the Orange Julep at the other end of town.” You can join her and juice up at the launch today, Thursday, May 22, at Blizzarts (3956-A St-Laurent), 7:30 p.m. Resto à Go-Go (ECW Press) is available at bookstores everywhere, $16.95. » Matthew Woodley

Going gauche

Step back from the high-paced imagery of the media into the slow-paced medium of painting. Looking Left, a group show of eight artists from across Canada opened last weekend at Articule (4001 Berri, #105). The artists, chosen by curators Alain Martin and Vince Tinguely, present “political” works that speak about environmental, personal and historical concerns, but not left-wing political movements.

David Garneau’s “How the West was…” is a large historical painting in comic-book style that looks for the place of the Métis in a cultural narrative composed of “Cowboys and Indians.” Laurie Papou’s piece (somehow) simultaneously critiques unsustainable environmental practices and the history of painting.

This show is interesting for the work it shows and equally for the questions it asks. The visual arts are becoming an increasingly redundant means of communication in the dominant culture, so, to paraphrase the curators’ quandary, how do we keep painting from “disappearing up its own ass”? Runs until June 15, 842-9686. » Christine Redfern

Highway star

If you were wondering what Alexis O’Hara has been up to, she’s just wrapping up an exhaustive, exhilarating one-woman, one-car tour throughout the States and Canada. She even managed to hop the border a few times along the way without too much grief. When asked for pearls of wisdom garnered from her mystic journey, O’Hara declares, “Try not to judge anything, especially not your performances… give power to your audiences to determine if you did a good job or not. Leave your expectations behind and consider it all a fact-finding mission. And dress like a boy and you won’t get hassled on the highway!”

O’Hara celebrates a successful tour at Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent) on Saturday, May 24, 8 p.m., $5. » Vincent Tinguely

Performance projections

It’s been three years since the genesis of Studio 303’s Projet/projo event and oh how it’s grown. Whether you’re into projected art, installations or choreographies, there’ll be something to satisfy. The event takes over the MAI (3680 Jeanne-Mance) and runs until May 31 as artists from near and far join in this celebration and exploration of the body and technology.

This week, visual art takes the forefront, with stuff to look at through the entire MAI building. On May 29 performances begin, and continue to the 31st. Spectators will be treated to different works each night by a rotating roster of interdisciplinary artists including Daniel Barrow, Anita Ponton, Stephen Lawson/Aaron Pollard, Alexis O’Hara, Dinka Pignon, Stéphane Gladyszewski and Ireland’s Anne Seagrave. Call 393-3771 or visit www.studio303.net for a complete schedule. » Marites Carino

Is it Art?

FURNITURE FORAY: “Beauty is interior,” the slogan reminds us. Indeed, material goods of all types will be on show this weekend at the 15th, and bigger-than-ever Montreal International Interior Design Show (SIDM). There’ll be bold new statements in furniture, office space innovations, Ikea-esque infusions, and the latest trends in cool, modern minimalism—hell, they’ve got everything but the kitchen sink. Wait a sec, apparently there’ll be kitchen sinks too! Three hundred world-class designers show their wares at Place Bonaventure (800 de la Gauchetière W.), from May 22-25, www.sidm.com.

ArtsHole

TRAILER BASH: Get your auction on and lend a hand to the Bookmobile, that travelling Airstream indie-publication machine, as it spreads the zine gospel around North America this summer. Over 30 donated artworks and crafts will be on the block this Saturday, May 24, 6 p.m., at the Long Hall (454 Beaumont W.). • SUGAR, SUGAR: Last chance to catch architect, filmworker and photographer Dani Hausemann’s documentation of disappearance Redpath Sugar, shot at the abandoned sucrose factory. The photos, impressive in their varying use of exposure, speed and ghost-like models for scale, show at the Maison de la Culture Marie-Uguay (6052 Monk) until May 25.

ARTISTAT: Number of blurry post-impressionist paintings, plus photographs, drawings and more on display at the MMFA’s new exhibit of prolific French aritist Édouard Vuillard, which runs until August 24: 400

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